Book reveals history of Crewe streets

Corner of lyon and Forge Streets. The long wall on the left of the image is the boundary of the Works

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Wealthy merchants, the rise of the railway colony and close proximity to symbolic features in the town, are all reasons as to how some of the first streets of Crewe got their names.

The Grand Junction Railway (GJR) was responsible for most of these early streets therefore responsible for naming them, however, a case can be made that early Crewe was built on the profits of slavery.

Lawrence Street off Victoria Street – which has since been demolished – was named after wealthy shipping merchant Charles Lawrence, who had interests in the West Indies and owned more than 200 slaves in Jamaica.

Moss Street was named after John Moss of Otterspool, who was chairman of the Grand Junction. He was also a banker and owner of 800 slaves in British Guiana.

The remnants of this street were still visible adjacent to the remains of Christ Church until 2014.

Following the establishment of a railway colony, GJR directors began to stamp their mark on naming streets after themselves.

One of the principal streets of the new colony was Prince Albert Street, which received its name in tribute to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coberg and Gotha. He was more famously known as the husband of Queen Victoria – they married in 1840.

A large open space was left vacant by the GJR which was used as a market until 1854.

Rear of Dorfold Street before modernisation

In 1848 this open square was partially covered to provide better accommodation for the traders. As a result, the ancient parish road that eventually serviced this area obtained the name Market Street.

However, there are some streets that predated the railways.

Earle Street is one example, original known as Small Lane. When the GJR built their colony, this lane was renamed Earle Street in honour of Sir Hardman Earle of Allerton Towers in Woolton, South Liverpool.

Another historic road as early as the 18th century is outlined in the Manor Court papers records: “We present Matthew Shenton not for (sic) scouring the ditch betwixt Wilkins and Underwood Lane.”

George Darroch in his Delamere Street garden with his miniature railway

West Street was one of the original roads of the parish before the railways were built, it was known as Coppenhall Lane. The portion of Hightown to the parish boundary gained its modern name as it ran westwards out of the town to join the turnpike Nantwich to Middlewich road, though the last stretch, in the township of Leighton, still retains the older name of Coppenhall Lane.

Samuel Heath was responsible for the name West Street when he was developing the west of Monks Coppenhall in 1861.

We will end with Forge Street, a street known for uncomfortable living conditions due to its close proximity to LNWR forge and smithy in the Old Works.

Steam hammers would shake and rattle the houses at all times of the day.

Peter’s book can be purchased from Copnal Books on Meredith Street and Waterstones in the town centre for £12.